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BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2015

Image Courtesy of Matt Lamprell, flickr.com

With just under two weeks to go until the BBC Sports Personality of the year 2015 awards, we take a closer look at four of the 12 nominees, who we believe could place in the top four this year. But who do you think will win? Tweet as your thoughts @PHA_sport

Image Courtesy of Sarah Peters, flickr.com

Jess Ennis-Hill
After everything she achieved at London 2012, Jess Ennis-Hill has truly become an icon for British athletics. A winner of so many golds during her athletics career, Jess finished runner up in the annual BBC SPOTY awards in 2012 and has also been in the top three on two other occasions.

But in Beijing this year, just a few months after giving birth to her first son, Jess won a fairy-tale gold in the heptathlon. Her victory, given the circumstances and the dominance she displayed, is perhaps even more remarkable than her achievements in 2012. For that reason she stands a very good chance of scooping this year’s BBC award.

Prediction: 3rd

Image Andy Murray

Andy Murray

He may not have won a Grand Slam in 2015 but Andy Murray’s greatest achievement this year was to help Great Britain win their first Davis Cup Final since 1978. Murray, described winning tennis’ premier team tournament as the “most emotional moment” of a career which has also seen him win Wimbledon, the US Open and an Olympic gold medal.

Records have continued to fall during 2015 for Andy Murray. The Scotsman overtook Tim Henman to stand alone as having the most number of career wins in the Open Era for a British man. In beating Phillip Kohlschreiber at the Munich Open in May, Murray also became the first British player to win a clay court title since 1976. Murray also won a record equalling 4th title at the Queen’s club.

It’s been a positive year for Murray and in total he has added four ATP titles to his trophy cabinet. He also finishes the year as the world #2. If Murray walks away with the BBC SPOTY prize this year, it will be the second time in three years, and last week’s victory at the Davis Cup makes that a very distinct possibility. I think he will fall just short though, and will instead take the runners up prize.

Prediction: 2nd

Image Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton
Until recently, no British driver had won back to back world championships. Lewis Hamilton put an end to that at the end of October by winning the United States Grand Prix, taking his third world title along the way, bringing him level with his idol Ayrton Senna.

Hamilton is young and hungry. He will certainly have his eyes on Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of seven world championship wins. The younger driver won the BBC SPOTY award in 2014 despite a number of controversial incidents that occurred on the way to him securing his second championship. However, his path to victory this year has been far more straightforward.

Like Murray, Lewis Hamilton also broke a number of records this year on his way to glory, notably passing Nigel Mansell’s record number of race wins by an Englishman. In fact, Hamilton won 10 out of 18 races this season. His achievements on the track should, in my opinion, see him crowned BBC SPOTY for the second year running. He certainly has my vote!

Prediction: 1st

Image Lucy Bronze

Lucy Bronze
England’s footballers made history this year when they finished third at the Women’s World Cup in Canada – their best ever performance at an international tournament. Lucy Bronze was among the stars who made a name for herself during the competition.

The Manchester City defender was one of eight players shortlisted for the Golden Ball player of the tournament award as she scored twice on England’s way to the semi-final. On top of her achievements with the national team, she also helped Manchester City achieve a second place finish in the FA WSL 1, as well as qualify for the Champions.

Bronze is the first female footballer to be nominated for the BBC SPOTY award, which seems quite incredible considering some of the other high profile females to grace the game in recent years – the likes of Rachael Yankey, Faye White, Toni Duggan, I could go on.

Women’s football is making huge strides and although Bronze might not win the BBC accolade this time around, she fully deserves her place on the shortlist.

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